Apples I Love Them Cross stitch project and other things

So, I haven't been blogging about food, even though this is supposed to be a food blog, because I've been on this low carb program and haven't really been all that excited about food in general lately.

Instead, I think I'll update everyone on the projects I've been working on, and upcoming ones as well.  And, if I stumble upon a really good low carb recipe, I'll be sure to pass it along. 

I've been working on this design by Jeremiah Junction called, Apples I Love Them.  This is a birthday project for my mom, for their new kitchen that they're in the process of re-doing.  While I think the design is cute and folksy, and right up my mom's alley, the pattern itself had so many errors and flaws, it was unbelievable.  I was constantly checking the picture on the front to make sure I had the colors correct!  Unreal!

I used a 28 ct. ecru linen, and had planned to hand dye it a bit to add some depth and age, but completely forgot and started stitching it the same day I got the fabric!  Oh well.  Perhaps next time.

Without wording and outlining...and obviously without ironing =)

It only took me about 2 weeks to get this done, which is really quick for me.  Also, I've never been able to find my iron since I moved last March (ok, yes, that means I've been without an iron for over a year.  Say what you will!).  And, I was taking the picture on  R's train table, because it's right in front of the window.

With words and outlining

Anyway, I'm happy with the outcome of it, even it I had a few troubles.  I have several projects on my list for this year, which is why I probably hurried through this one so quickly.  Next up on my agenda is probably the hardest pattern I've ever done.  It's called Heirloom Nativity Sampler, from Victoria Sampler, and I'm doing 2 of them at the same time. 

Some of the stitches in the pattern I've never even heard of, but I've done woven bars with dove's eyes before, so I don't think I'll have too much trouble with some of the other complicated stitches.  I just hope I don't snip the wrong thread in the cut outs.  That's the worst!

I'll update with pictures as I go along....if I remember.  =)

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy stitching and low-carb eating!

Thursday Things: Book & Movie Review

Thursday Things

Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake from Martha Stewart Recipes

• My favorite pins this week are pretty amazing.  I don't want to pat myself on the back, but I will if no one else does.  This pin is just plain funny...and a little too close to home.  I thought these were so cute for Valentine's Day.  This would be perfect for St. Patrick's Day!  This cake looks so spring like!  And, this Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake.  It's a wonder we've survived this long without it.
• I've been suffering through J.K. Rowling's The Casual Vacancy.  I wouldn't recommend it.  Like someone on Amazon said: "(It's) Like a bad movie that you just want to end so you can see the end."  I'm so close and all I can say is that it will be a relief to get it over. 
• I watched Zero Dark Thirty this week.  It was interesting.  I wouldn't say it was Oscar worthy, although the main actress did a damn fine job, but the fact that it's out there and gives people a general idea of what went on and how long it actually took to find him is something everyone should know.
• I got another Scarlet Letter today for bad parenting, only my letters are school bus yellow and in the shape of an "L", for LOSER.  I've gotten so many, it's getting a little hard to see what I'm wearing anymore.  Is it too late to reconsider being a parent?  Can we rewind 6 years.  Well, IF we're rewinding, let's go back a little farther and change a few other things that have irreparably screwed my life over.
• Can we talk about the Downton Abbey Christmas special for a min?  OMG, (this might contain spoilers) but did they have to go and do that?!?!  Things were just getting good, then they had to go and kill the guy off!  SO unfair!!  Don't they realize we, as in the general public, live vicariously though them and need things to be perfect?  If we wanted a train wreck, we'd watch our own lives. 

Jingle the Elf on the Shelf: Week 3-4

Jingle (Our Elf on the Shelf): Week 3-4

So, this is our last week with our beloved Jingle.  We've loved every minute, although to be honest, there were some nights I didn't feel like doing much with him, and I could feel his judgement of me from across the room. 

Jingle made lots of snowflakes and hung them for all to see.

Story time with the toys.

Jingle went over to the grandparents' house and decorated their tree for them! 

Jingle doing a puzzle.

Hot air balloon ride!

Challenged Buzz to a friendly game of Hungry Hippos!

Jingle wrote a note to R on the bathroom mirror.

Decorating the windows with "snow".

Rappelling from the cabinet.  He's such a daredevil!

Making some snowmen!

Lastly, making R work for his presents, Christmas morning.

Holiday Projects (i.e. Why I've been so freakin' busy!)

So, of course, ever since I was introduced to the world of Pinterest, I've seen a multitude of projects that I wanted to do for Christmas.  Like this, and this, and of course no holiday celebration is complete without this!!  I only got a few things done though, but I love them! 

Fabric Covered Christmas Tree Cones

I used the tutorial here, but I did not pay the $12.95, or whatever it was, for the download template.  I didn't think it was necessary.  I feel like maybe I went a little overboard with the trees, but I was in the zone...and I had already purchased the materials.

Snowman Ornaments

I have a snowman tree in my dining room, and being the cheap frugal soul that I am, wanted to make several more ornaments to hang.  I have been crosstitching for years, but straight up sewing is not a skill I use much.  So, while the stitching is good, the sewing is only so-so.  The ones above are all free patterns that I got online.  You can find them on my pinterest board here.

The Let It Snow and Peace on Earth are Dimensions kits I got off Amazon.  I think they're also available at Walmart, but I had a gift card for Amazon, so I went with that!

Now, if I could just get the house clean, I think I'll be ready for Tuesday!

Hershey's Butterscotch Chocolate Fudge

Butterscotch Chocolate Fudge

Hershey's currently has a bake, share, win giveaway going on, so I thought I'd give it a go and see how I fared!

To be fair, I'm not sure if fudge actually qualifies as a baked item.  But, I did cook it on the stove, and since there are a multitude of no-bake items that resemble baked items, I'm going for it.  I won't say anything if you won't.

First, let me start by saying that I love Hershey products!  Their "perfectly chocolate cake" is my go-to chocolate cake recipe, and it's delicious!  The frosting is the same way.  I also love their chips and drops that you can buy in the baking aisle.  They taste great, for starters, but also, they're cheaper than their competitors!  It's a win, win, if you ask me. 

Butterscotch Chocolate Fudge
slightly adapted from Eagle Brand's Foolproof Chocolate Fudge

4 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
8 oz. bittersweet chocolate
6 oz. butterscotch chips
1- 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
dash of salt
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 to 1 cup of chopped nuts (optional)

LINE 8- or 9-inch square pan with foil (would strongly recommend parchment instead), extending foil over edges of pan.

MELT chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk and salt in heavy saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat. Stir in nuts and vanilla. Spread evenly into prepared pan.

CHILL 2 hours or until firm. Remove from pan by lifting edges of foil. Cut into squares.

 
It does seem like a motley assortment of chocolate, but it totally works, trust me.  The bittersweet chocolate really cuts down the normal sickly sweet taste of regular fudge, that way you can eat more!  Also, with the addition of the butterscotch, it almost tastes like it has a little alcohol in it.  That, or it could be my homemade vanilla that I used.  Either way, it's a great recipe that I know my family will love when they get here for Christmas.

I made half with nuts, and half without, because I have a nephew who says he dislikes nuts.  He also says he dislikes anything with the word "pie" in it, but he'll eat chocolate pie.  Yeah, he's one of those.  Enjoy!

CandiQuik Prize Pack Winnings!

I recently won a Candiquik giveaway from Aimee at ShugarySweets and Miss Candiquik, so I wanted to give them a little shout out and show them what I've been up to with the goodies they sent me!  (Unfortunately, I didn't realize I was going to do this until after I had used some of the items, so I don't have a group shot of the prize pack.)

I made some Holiday pretzels with sprinkles, to give as gifts.  First, I melted down the candy in the convenient microwave trays that they come in (aahhhhmazing, btw), then I dipped the pretzels in about 2/3 of the way.  I let the excess drip off, then set them on a parchment lined baking sheet to harden.  Some of them I decorated with sprinkles, while the candy was still wet.

I know it's a pretty basic and simple thing to do, but they can be so nice when packaged up.  The recipient feels special that you took the time to do this for them, and no one needs to know how incredibly easy it was!

Thanks again to Aimee and Miss Candiquik!  Couldn't have done this without you!!

Elf on the Shelf: Jingle the Elf- Week 2

Here are the pics from our 2nd week, and then some.  My time seems to have run away from me recently.  Anyway, on with the pics!

Driving away in the Handy Manny race car!

The holiday season is no reason to slack off at the gym!

Stealing R's chocolate milk in the morning.  Jingle!

Rolling by on his skateboard.

Little drummer boy!

Zip line elf!

Watching a little TV.

Held captive by 3 Transformers (you can't see it in the picture but he's gagged and handcuffed too).  Oh no!

Coloring!

Jingle hung Christmas lights along the breakfast bar chairs.

Fishing in the sink.

We're still really enjoying all the antics that Jingle has gotten into.  Another week and a half to go!  Good thing there are so many great ideas on Pinterest!